Whether it is a stable ­man-agement issue, ill-­fitting tack, pain in the body or emotional distress, animal communicators claim that allowing your horse the opportunity to express himself, will go a long way towards enhancing your relationship and finding the root of the problem.

SA Horseman spoke to Lerinda, who says that even when there are no major problems to work through with a horse, contacting him can provide many insights into his personal view of the world, his character, likes, dislikes and history. According to Lerinda, each horse has his own personality, and expresses interesting views on his rider and situation – opinions his owner is often unaware of.

"Sometimes a dressage horse tells me he'd rather be a show jumper! Or a horse will ­explain to me why he keeps jumping out of the paddock. Sometimes unwanted behaviour can be modified by explaining to the horse why he shouldn't do it, but of course, the ­emotional issues causing that behaviour have to be ­addressed as well."

When people contact Lerinda, she asks them a few questions about the horse and the reading is done using telepathy: "The ­stronger their emotional connection to their rider, the more accurate my reading can be. I receive confirmation of my conversation with the horse from the owners when I give them ­feedback."

Lerinda does not need to be with the horse physically in order to connect with his energy – the sessions are done long distance, after the owner contacts her.

Lerinda has had an empathy with animals since she was small. Later in life she did a course in animal communication with Amelia Kinkade. Her first "client” was a budgie that flew away, and she helped the owner to trace him again!

"I particularly enjoy working with horses though," she says, 'because there is something very special about a horse's energy."

“One important thing I've learnt from my work is that horses are much more evolved, mentally and emotionally, than we think. My aim is to develop and deepen the bond ­between man and horse, in order to make this planet a better place for animals."

(If you are interested in learning more about talking to horses, contact Lerinda on 084 909 9400).